Page 76 of Parentmoon

“I know, Daddy. I’ve missed Texas, too, but I don’t want to hurt Jo when it hurts Michael.”

“Jo understands love comes with compromise, though.”

“Michael tells me she compromised a lot with his dad.”

I sigh, feeling guilty that my son recognizes the truth of my position with his father and it’s haunting him in making decisions. I want him to do what makes him happy. Him and Keli.

“Baby, leave it to me with Jo.”

He has a plan. The statement mocks me.

I don’t really know what that could mean. If he thinks sweet-talking me and a few orgasms is going to get me to come around to my son moving and raising my grandchild in another state, he has another think coming. I’m not opposed to Michael going where he wants to go to keep his wife happy, but I don’t like Dallas thinking he can manipulate me.

“You and Jo have grown pretty close.” Keli teases her father.

Dallas chuckles. “You could say that.”

“Don’t be cheeky, Daddy.”

In my head, I see Dallas giving his daughter that damn smirk, crooking the corner of his mouth and flashing her his dimple, revealing his playful nature beneath his edgy veneer.

“Now you sound like Jo.” Dallas guffaws harder, richer and deeper.

Silence falls between them a second.

“You really like her, don’t you?” Keli’s teasing tone turns insistent.

I don’t hear any response from Dallas but find I’m holding my breath, waiting on one.

“Are you blushing?” Keli’s voice rises, more good-natured fun in her tone.

My own cheeks suddenly heat, giddiness filling my chest.

“We’re just having fun.”

And my heart plummets like a sinking ship.

We have had fun, but his comment is a reminder that our circumstances have led to nothing other than relaxed moments and wild sex. It was only a fling.

The sliding glass door opens. Standing, I step to the railing of the loft and glance down to see Michael entering the house.

“Hey baby,” Keli calls out to him. She moves from the counter stool to Michael’s side. They hug, holding one another. To see them reunited and happy again takes away any reluctance and shock from yesterday. The future will be wonderful and adventurous for both to them.

Keli pulls away first while keeping her arms around Michael’s waist. She wrinkles her nose. “You stink.”

Michael chuckles. He must have finished a morning run. “It’s hot out there.” He presses a quick kiss to Keli.

Stepping back from the railing, I turn toward my suitcase, heart full at their bliss.

“Where’s Mom?” Michael asks down below.

“I let her sleep in.” Dallas protects my privacy, not admitting how restlessly I slept or how I cried into his chest.

With clothes in hand, I head down the staircase. “I’m right here,” I announce, trying for a chipper voice but sounding like a chipmunk instead.

Michael holds his tongue until I reach the lower level, then he narrows his eyes. “Are you okay?”

For some reason, I seek Dallas who has stepped into view from the kitchen area. Our eyes meet. While I’m certain he slept just fine, he looks tired, hesitant even. He hasn’t exactly apologized for keeping the truth from me. Sure, he’d expressed regret about them breaking up, but he didn’t really claim responsibility for it. And he hadn’t told me about Michael and Keli coming here. He didn’t apologize for that either. He’s kept so many things from me, still, I’m reaching for him.